Help with hotel & transportation in London

We will be cruising in June 2017 from Southampton. We are planning on at least one night in London pre-cruise and would like any advice for mid-range hotel in a central location. We have looked at EC Minibus London for transfers to the port from London and back. Looking for someone that has used them to verify the quality of their service. Thanks for any help. I've done some searches and haven't found much help.

We are staying I. West Kensington - lots of tube stations and the hotels are less expensive then London proper, I believe

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

Haven't heard of EC Minibus, though don't let that concern you - there are dozens of similar operators.

Their website has a few grammatical errors, which suggests that English may not be their first language. But that's true of many London operators.

I checked out some fares on their website.

Heathrow to a random central London hotel at £70 is significantly more than the average of around £40 to £45.

Central London to Southampton is also a little high at £150. Around £130 is closer to the mark.

And their rate for Heathrow to Southampton is the same (£150), which doesn't make sense because Heathrow is so much closer, easier & quicker to Southampton. That should cost around £90 - £100

Some folk are happy to pay extra for a well-recommended operator, but I see little about EC Minibus on the web - the various review sites have only two or three entries, so I'd be inclined to dismiss them as too easy to plant.

Where did you hear about them?

For private transfers to/from Southampton consider http://www.smithsforairports.com or http://www.westquaycars.com or http://www.aquacars.co.uk

All are based at the Southampton end, all have been recommended by CC members. But because of their location they're not suitable for transfers between central London & the London airports.

The direct train between central London's Waterloo station and Southampton is fast & frequent. http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

The walk-up fare is about £40 pp, but if you pre-book with https://uk.megabus.com/megatrain.aspx can be as little as $5. Megatrain tickets are available on only a few trains per day, must be pre-booked & you can only travel on the train that you booked - no amendments. But they offer a substantial saving. No megatrain tickets for sundays.

The train between Southampton & London Gatwick airport costs about £20.

For Southampton - Heathrow the direct National Express coach (bus) is comfortable and inexpensive - about £18. http://www.nationalexpress.com/home.aspx

This website gives an excellent overview of the transfer options

https://www.londontoolkit.com/travel/southampton_london_transfers.htm

But avoid the private transfer operators who advertise on there - over-priced.

The cruisebus transfer on that page from Southampton to London hotels is excellent but takes all day - great if you want to see bits of England, but not if you want to concentrate on London. If you want to visit Stonehenge in your limited time, that cruisebus transfer from London hotels to Southampton via Stonehenge is worth considering - you won't have time to sight-see in London on your cruise morning.

That website also has a wealth of info about London - well worth browsing.

------------------------------------------------

For a one-night stopover in London I think it best to bite the bullet & choose a reasonably central hotel. Check out Premier Inn at County Hall or Waterloo, or the Travelodge hotels in central London.

If those prices are too heavy for you, especially for several nights, there's nothing wrong with icumpire's suggestion of West Kensington. Or Victoria or Paddington or Kings Cross.

Just make sure that the hotel is handy to a tube (metro) station, and ideally on a main ho-ho route - the yellow route on this map https://www.theoriginaltour.com/media/1844/the-original-tour-map-hr-from-30-april.jpg

You are planning well ahead for July next year - don't commit to anything too soon, your research may well throw up something better.

JB :)

I stayed at the Premier Inn Waterloo. Great for Hop On Hop Off bus (HOHO), regular bus, Waterloo Train station, tube, restaurants, pubs, Westminster Abbey, London Eye, Big Ben, Parilament building. Thamas river.

I have also stayed in the Victoria area. Great for HOHO, regular bus, National Express Coach station, tube, train station, restaurants, pubs, stores, Buckingham Palace, The Mall, The Mews, Queen's Gallery, Kenningston Palace.

If you are only going to be in London for 1 day, take the HOHO bus to give you a general idea of London. There are 2 HOHO companies that do the same 3 routes.

I used http://www.justairports.com a private car service from Heathrow to our London hotel.

I have taken the train from Waterloo station to Southampton train station and then taken a short taxi ride (under £10) to the pier.

I have taken the National Express Coach from London Victoria Coach station to Southampton Coach station then a short taxi ride (under £10) to the pier.

We just left a ship in Southhampton yesterday. We used Smithsforairports for a private transfer from Southhampton to the Heathrow Hilton (terminal 4). We were extremely pleased with their prompt service and will not hesitate to use them again.

Haven't heard of EC Minibus, though don't let that concern you - there are dozens of similar operators.

 

Their website has a few grammatical errors, which suggests that English may not be their first language. But that's true of many London operators.

The owner's name is Emanuel Caires - that's where the EC comes from - and he's Portuguese (from Madeira). So that explains that!

Obrigado, Globalizaçãtori

Joao Touro :)

We stayed at the Westminster Double Tree by Hilton, right downtown, very convenient, but not cheap. We used Great Britain Cars for transportation from airport to hotel and ship to airport. They were very good and worth the price to us. They don't take credit cards, just British pounds. They will give you a quote on internet and reservation with no deposit required.

We used the Original Tour Bus (HOHO) and enjoyed it. Two days for price of one and free river cruise which we really enjoyed. We prepurchased on line, but had to go to Trafalga Square to pick up tickets for bus.

Check out London Tool Kit website if you are not familiar with it. Great site.

For one night a Premierinn is more than adequate. There are plenty of them around London and if you keep checking prices, sign up for e-mail alerts you could bag a room in one of the more central locations for as little as $50 a night.

Re transportation from Southampton to London:

Don't use Adelphi Executive Transfer!

Used this company before and thought they'd be good again. Made reservations 9 months out from cruise. Booked a 8 pax van (for 7 people) and filled the remaining 4 places thru the CC thread for the cruise. Found out there were no refunds and he (Darren Parsons) wanted €100 deposit for a €180 trip.

Kept in contact with him very often, even emailing him 2 days before we docked. Pick up was scheduled for 8:30 - 8:45. After 2 phone calls, a person finally showed up at 9:45, but not from the company we were expecting. Seems the driver that came was with another company, had no idea what deposits were paid and by whom and had a van that was definitely not the luxury 8 passenger van we contracted for.

Thanks for all the replies and wonderful suggestions. They have all been very helpful!

One of the responses mentioned Aquacars as a taxi company. This company is based in Portsmouth, where I used to live. They nearly let me down once when I booked a car to Gatwick. I had to keep phoning because the car didn't turn up. It was my worst nightmare

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

Haven't heard of EC Minibus, though don't let that concern you - there are dozens of similar operators.

 

Their website has a few grammatical errors, which suggests that English may not be their first language. But that's true of many London operators.

 

I checked out some fares on their website.

Heathrow to a random central London hotel at £70 is significantly more than the average of around £40 to £45.

Central London to Southampton is also a little high at £150. Around £130 is closer to the mark.

And their rate for Heathrow to Southampton is the same (£150), which doesn't make sense because Heathrow is so much closer, easier & quicker to Southampton. That should cost around £90 - £100

 

Some folk are happy to pay extra for a well-recommended operator, but I see little about EC Minibus on the web - the various review sites have only two or three entries, so I'd be inclined to dismiss them as too easy to plant.

Where did you hear about them?

 

For private transfers to/from Southampton consider http://www.smithsforairports.com or http://www.westquaycars.com or http://www.aquacars.co.uk

All are based at the Southampton end, all have been recommended by CC members. But because of their location they're not suitable for transfers between central London & the London airports.

 

The direct train between central London's Waterloo station and Southampton is fast & frequent. http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

The walk-up fare is about £40 pp, but if you pre-book with https://uk.megabus.com/megatrain.aspx can be as little as $5. Megatrain tickets are available on only a few trains per day, must be pre-booked & you can only travel on the train that you booked - no amendments. But they offer a substantial saving. No megatrain tickets for sundays.

 

The train between Southampton & London Gatwick airport costs about £20.

 

For Southampton - Heathrow the direct National Express coach (bus) is comfortable and inexpensive - about £18. http://www.nationalexpress.com/home.aspx

 

This website gives an excellent overview of the transfer options

https://www.londontoolkit.com/travel/southampton_london_transfers.htm

But avoid the private transfer operators who advertise on there - over-priced.

The cruisebus transfer on that page from Southampton to London hotels is excellent but takes all day - great if you want to see bits of England, but not if you want to concentrate on London. If you want to visit Stonehenge in your limited time, that cruisebus transfer from London hotels to Southampton via Stonehenge is worth considering - you won't have time to sight-see in London on your cruise morning.

That website also has a wealth of info about London - well worth browsing.

------------------------------------------------

 

For a one-night stopover in London I think it best to bite the bullet & choose a reasonably central hotel. Check out Premier Inn at County Hall or Waterloo, or the Travelodge hotels in central London.

If those prices are too heavy for you, especially for several nights, there's nothing wrong with icumpire's suggestion of West Kensington. Or Victoria or Paddington or Kings Cross.

Just make sure that the hotel is handy to a tube (metro) station, and ideally on a main ho-ho route - the yellow route on this map https://www.theoriginaltour.com/media/1844/the-original-tour-map-hr-from-30-april.jpg

 

You are planning well ahead for July next year - don't commit to anything too soon, your research may well throw up something better.

JB :)

I just realized I didn't note that there would be six of us travelling together. What were the prices you quoted for - a taxi or something big enough to haul the six of us plus all our luggage? Thanks again

I just realized I didn't note that there would be six of us travelling together. What were the prices you quoted for - a taxi or something big enough to haul the six of us plus all our luggage? Thanks again

Only if at least three of you sit on the roof :D

Those prices are for a regular sedan - OK for 3 with reasonable luggage.

An estate car (station wagon) would cost little extra.

But for 6 plus 6xluggage you need a small minibus like the photo on EC Minibus' website (in the UK a "van" is what you'd call a "panel van" - so at least 4 of you will have to sit on the roof if you book a "van" ;) )

E-mail the potential operators to ask for a quote, making sure they are aware of the number of adults, ages of kids, and how many checked bags and hand luggage, & let them decide what vehicle you need.

Assuming that EC Minibus know your numbers, that makes their prices much more realistic. :)

I guess the very name EC Minibus should have alerted me to ask the size of your party :rolleyes:

JB :)

One day pre-cruise The Rubens at the Palace and two days post cruise at Park Plaza Westminster Bridge post cruise. Was considering Doubletree by Hilton Westminster Bridge but one of the couples travelling with us had stayed at the Park Plaza before and liked it. Keeping my fingers crossed that these turn out to be good choices.

One day pre-cruise The Rubens at the Palace and two days post cruise at Park Plaza Westminster Bridge post cruise. Was considering Doubletree by Hilton Westminster Bridge but one of the couples travelling with us had stayed at the Park Plaza before and liked it. Keeping my fingers crossed that these turn out to be good choices.

I have stayed at both hotels.

The Rubens at the Palace -

- small rooms

- small elevator, just room enough for 2 people with 2 suitcases

- friendly and helpful staff

- we had a package with breakfast each day plus 1 dinner - breakfast buffet

- a few stairs to get to main entrance of hotel

- doorman

- on Main Street - we were in the back and did not hear any street noise

- only steps to a corner to cross the stree to Buckingham Palace, The Mews, the Queen's Gallery, The Mall

- walking distance to the 2 HOHO (Hop On Hop Off) buses, regular bus, stores, small grocery store, pubs, restaurants,

- can walk to National Express Victoria Coach station, or train station

Park Plaza Westminster Bridge -

- larger room than The Ruben

- modern hotel

- elevators and escalators

- bar

- restaurant - we had breakfast each day - buffet

- friendly and helpful staff

- doorman

- entrance is street level - need to use elevator or escalator to get to regeristation desk, then elevator to room

- walking distance to the 2 HOHO bus, regular bus, tube, stores, pubs, restaurants, small mini grocery store, Waterloo train station

- walking to London Eye, Westminster Bridge, Thamas river, Parilament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, River cruise

- A/C

From my previous thread post 4, I used http://www.justairports.com from LHR to London hotel and London hotel to LHR four times.

I walked from The Ruben to National Express Coach - Victoria station to Southampton Coach station, then short taxi ride (less than £10) to the port.

We took the train from Southampton to Waterloo train station and then walked to Park Plaza Westminster Bridge.

I have used http://www.internationalfriends.co.uk from Southampton to my London hotel. A great way to have a stop along the way and be driven to your London hotel. They only go on embarkment and disembarkment days.

I have stayed at both hotels.

 

The Rubens at the Palace -

- small rooms

- small elevator, just room enough for 2 people with 2 suitcases

- friendly and helpful staff

- we had a package with breakfast each day plus 1 dinner - breakfast buffet

- a few stairs to get to main entrance of hotel

- doorman

- on Main Street - we were in the back and did not hear any street noise

- only steps to a corner to cross the stree to Buckingham Palace, The Mews, the Queen's Gallery, The Mall

- walking distance to the 2 HOHO (Hop On Hop Off) buses, regular bus, stores, small grocery store, pubs, restaurants,

- can walk to National Express Victoria Coach station, or train station

 

Park Plaza Westminster Bridge -

- larger room than The Ruben

- modern hotel

- elevators and escalators

- bar

- restaurant - we had breakfast each day - buffet

- friendly and helpful staff

- doorman

- entrance is street level - need to use elevator or escalator to get to regeristation desk, then elevator to room

- walking distance to the 2 HOHO bus, regular bus, tube, stores, pubs, restaurants, small mini grocery store, Waterloo train station

- walking to London Eye, Westminster Bridge, Thamas river, Parilament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, River cruise

- A/C

 

From my previous thread post 4, I used http://www.justairports.com from LHR to London hotel and London hotel to LHR four times.

 

I walked from The Ruben to National Express Coach - Victoria station to Southampton Coach station, then short taxi ride (less than £10) to the port.

 

We took the train from Southampton to Waterloo train station and then walked to Park Plaza Westminster Bridge.

 

I have used http://www.internationalfriends.co.uk from Southampton to my London hotel. A great way to have a stop along the way and be driven to your London hotel. They only go on embarkment and disembarkment days.

Thank you so much for your input. It sounds like both places will be good and thanks for the transportation tips.